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| image by Billy Alexander |
by Kaysi Hastings
But they rebelled
and grieved his Holy Spirit;
therefore he turned to be their enemy,
and himself fought against them.
Then he remembered the days of old,
of Moses and his people.
Where is he who brought them up out of the sea
with the shepherds of his flock?
Where is he who put in the midst of them
his Holy Spirit,
who caused his glorious arm
to go at the right hand of Moses,
who divided the waters before them
to make for himself an everlasting name,
who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in the desert,
they did not stumble.
Like livestock that go down into the valley,
the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
So you led your people,
to make for yourself a glorious name.
and grieved his Holy Spirit;
therefore he turned to be their enemy,
and himself fought against them.
Then he remembered the days of old,
of Moses and his people.
Where is he who brought them up out of the sea
with the shepherds of his flock?
Where is he who put in the midst of them
his Holy Spirit,
who caused his glorious arm
to go at the right hand of Moses,
who divided the waters before them
to make for himself an everlasting name,
who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in the desert,
they did not stumble.
Like livestock that go down into the valley,
the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
So you led your people,
to make for yourself a glorious name.
Isaiah 63:10-14
Betrayal.
I was just talking with a close friend this past week about the excruciating heartache we would surely experience at having someone we sincerely, deeply love turn his or her back on us. We've both been hurt or disappointed by others (and certainly we've both done our own share of hurting and disappointing as well), but neither of us has ever experienced pain of the magnitude a friend of hers is currently bearing in the wake of a meaningful relationship that has shattered on account of the other party's sudden and drastic shift of heart.
In yesterday's text Isaiah spoke of the extravagant, lavish, compassionate love the Lord had demonstrated toward Israel. Today we read of Israel's own drastic shift that broke the heart of the God who loved them. This must have been devastating to Him not only because He loved these people and desired to receive their affections in return but also because He knew He was the only One who could supply all their needs. He knew the other sources to which they were turning their hearts would never be able to satisfy but would always eventually let them down and leave them empty. God's anger was surely not merely Self-focused but was a response to His grief in knowing the ones He loved were headed down a dead-end street.
Only one who truly cares for another would be able to move past the initial anger that follows betrayal and find the capacity to forgive. Only one who is genuinely more concerned about the well-being of another would choose to remember the good and persist in love, even when it is not reciprocated. Only one who knows what real love is would remain faithful even to the faithless. And only One has done this perfectly: the Lord, the God of Israel. Truly, what is more glorious than this?
Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.
Have you ever been betrayed by someone you deeply loved? What emotions did this stir in your heart? How have you betrayed the God who loves you deeply? What is your heart's response when you consider the fact that He has looked past these offenses and chosen to persist in His love for you?
Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.
Our Father, that You so mercifully, willingly, and consistently forgive us when we turn our backs on You is humbling beyond words. "Thank You" does not begin to do it justice. Grant us the grace to forgive as You have forgiven us - freely - that our lives might bring glory to Your name.
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